September 17, 2015

Canadian Conservative Party's Pre-Election Rebound

Meanwhile in Canada, things seem to be looking up for the Conservative party. They have a new campaign strategist running things. They have turned in a surplus budget for the first time since the 2008 recession and a surprising dip in oil prices that has had a serious impact on the economy and the Canadian dollar.

After falling as low as third in the polls for weeks, Stephen Harper’s Conservatives have regained the lead in voter support, a new survey by Forum Research finds.

Forum president Lorne Bozinoff says Monday’s announcement from the federal Finance Department that Ottawa posted a $1.9-billion budget surplus likely gave Harper a bump, given that Forum polled its respondents Monday and Tuesday nights –—after the announcement.

The Conservatives have 32 per cent support, compared to 30 per cent for the NDP, and 28 per cent for the Liberals, according to Forum.

There's still several weeks until the election but this is the first sign of positive conservative momentum in a long time.

The results, projected on a 338-seat House of Commons, would see the Conservatives capturing 138 seats, enough for a minority government. The NDP would win 113 seats, the Liberals 86, and the Greens one.

In the vote rich province of Ontario the news is even better;

In Ontario, where the parties have been locked in more or less a three-way tie, the Conservatives now lead with 37 per cent, ahead of the Liberals with 31 per cent and the NDP at 24 per cent.